10 Beautiful Actors Who Went Ugly For Movie Roles

Naomi Grossman (Pepper)

Actress Naomi Grossman played the role of Pepper, in the American Horror Story franchise. Pepper appeared in season two and season four of the show. She is the only character that appears on more than one season. In season 2, she is placed in the “Asylum” because she is accused of killing her sister’s baby. In season 4, she is a part of a “Freak Show.” Naomi even shaved her head for the part.

Anne Hathaway (Mia Thermopolis)

Anne Hathaway made her film debut as Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries. A role which she reprised for the sequel, in 2004, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. However, in the first movie, Mia is a frumpy-teen, whose appearance is no good for royalty. Her grandmother, played by Julia Andrews, hires someone to do a makeover. Her new look is actually how Anne looked in real life, beautiful.

America Ferrera (Betty Suarez)

Although she was already known in Hollywood, America Ferrera made her TV breakthrough, after landing the lead role, of Betty Suarez, on Ugly Betty. The show followed Betty and her outlandish wardrobe and personality, as she worked at a high fashion magazine. Ferrera has continued to see success in acting, and has landed many roles, most of which allow her true beauty to show.

Emma Thompson (Nanny McPhee)

Emma Thompson is a two time Oscar winning British actress. She is known for her roles in the Harry Potter films, Sense and Sensibility, Howards Ends, and Nanny McPhee. Thompson plays the title role in Nanny McPhee, who at the beginning of the film is frighteningly hideous. However, as the family heals and learns to truly appreciate each other, McPhee also becomes more and more beautiful.

Thesy Surface (Margaret McPoyle)

Most people will know Thesy Surface from her portrayal of Margaret McPoyle in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Margaret is the deaf-mute sister of the gang’s old grade school classmate. Margaret is not a pretty sight and her actions insinuate a incestuous relationship with her brothers. However, Thesy Surface looks nothing like her character. She is very attractive in real life.

Judy Greer (Kitty Sanchez)

Judy Greer has played many roles throughout her time in Hollywood. However, one of her most notable was as Kitty Sanchez on Arrested Development. Kitty was George Bluth’s personal assistant and then Michael’s assistant. She also had a fondness for flashing people. She appeared in 11 episodes throughout the 4 seasons of the show. Greer has since landed many roles, where she doesn’t need to cover up her beauty.

Bette Midler (Winifred Sanderson)

Bette Midler is an amazing singer-actress, who has graced the silver screen in many roles. However, her most memorable may have been as the witch, Winifred Sanderson, in Hocus Pocus. Winifred is executed after being discovered a witch. But, she and her sisters are brought back from the grave, after lead character, Max, lights the black flame candle. Chaos ensues until the main characters are able to send the witches back to their graves.

Drew Barrymore (Josie Gellar)

Drew Barrymore has been a star since a very young age. However, many people love her, in the 1999 film, Never Been Kissed. Barrymore plays Josie Gellar. In high school, Josie was a geek and was bullied by the “popular” kids. However, she is given the chance to go back to high school as an undercover student, to find the next big newspaper story. She always reverts back to her original high school days and is afraid of rejection. However, with her brother’s help, she breaks out of her shell and (SPOILER) gets her first kiss.

Cameron Diaz (Lotte Schwartz)

Cameron Diaz sore to international stardom in the 90s. She played the role of the hot blonde love interest, in films such as The Mask and There’s Something About Mary. However, one movie tried to lessen her beauty as a pet-obsessed woman. In Being John Malkovich, Diaz played Lotte Schwartz, who was excited to “live out her transgender desires” once she was shown the portal to John Malkovich’s mind. The makeup artist on set, said making Diaz look “homely” was a hard task.

Meryl Streep (Witch)

Meryl Streep is a Hollywood legend. She has been nominated for 20 Oscars, 3 of which she won. In 2014, she played The Witch in the movie adaptation of the musical Into the Woods. The movie also featured great actors such as Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt, and Anna Kendrick. The witch goes around granting wishes but warns people that everything comes with a price, which they all soon learn. Meryl was given a makeover to look older and much more ominous.